Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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2261. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the recent decision to expand the number of maternity cases to be transferred away from Portiuncula University Hospital to other hospitals; the person in the HSE or Department who made this decision; how this decision was made; whether she had any involvement, input or knowledge of the process of making this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45386/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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2262. To ask the Minister for Health in light of the recent decision to expand the number of maternity cases to be transferred away from Portiuncula University Hospital to other hospitals, whether she will commit to the re-establishment of maternity services for such cases at Portiuncula University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45387/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The safety and quality of our maternity services are of critical importance to the women and families who use them, as well as to this Government.

The developments at the Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH) maternity unit may undoubtedly cause concern and worry for many women and families who attend or plan to attend services at PUH.

A highly experienced External Management Team was put in place in January 2025 to oversee and manage maternity services at PUH. This management team is led by an external consultant obstetrician, Dr Mark Skehan, and includes a director of midwifery and a senior manager. The team reports directly to the HSE West and North West regional management and will be fully responsible for managing and supporting all aspects of maternity/gynaecology and neonatal services at PUH. This team remains in place and will continue to oversee the work and services provided at PUH.

This work will therefore continue to progress over the coming months, with close monitoring and engagement within both the HSE and the Department of Health. This includes ensuring sufficient capacity and resources are in place across the HSE West and North-West region.

Consideration for the future direction of maternity service development will require an extensive evidence base, of which a review of the implementation of the current National Maternity Strategy will form part. The Programme for Government commits to developing a successor to the existing National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026. This work will include any wider policy issues arising from the PUH reviews and their recommendations.